Lego Is Finally Introducing Audio and Braille Building Instructions for the Visually Impaired

[M2m]

https://gizmodo.com/lego-is-finally-introducing-audio-and-braille-building-1837621676

https://legoaudioinstructions.com/

And I learnt that  LXFML stands for LEGO Exchange Format Mel Script

[SylvainLS]

2 hours ago, M2m said:

And I learnt that  LXFML stands for LEGO Exchange Format Mel Script

Rather “LEGO Exchange Format Markup Language.”

I mean, that’s what ML stands for with XML-related formats.  The author didn’t even blink at the fact that “Mel Script” would give MS, not ML, whatever “Mel” might mean.  Shoddy writing.

Oh, boy.  I see now there’s an article on Brickset too: https://brickset.com/article/45465 , with about the same content.  I guess it’s LEGO marketting who can’t get its facts right and everybody just repeating without a tiny bit of distance.

I feel old.

Edited August 28, 2019 by SylvainLS
Less terse

[1963maniac]

 Check this out folks. Legofortheblind.com This is really cool!! I was just emailing with Matthew Shifrin. Maybe we could give this blind Lego enthusiast some help. How about it?

[grum64]

This is absolutely incredible and as hard as I try I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for you. You are so inspiring and a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity. I’m sure members here would be really interested in seeing some pictures of your builds or perhaps a video of you building if that’s possible. Your achievements deserve wider attention.

Although I can’t help you with writing instructions I wish you all the very best in your endeavours.

[Toastie]

7 hours ago, SylvainLS said:

I feel old

Welcome to the club.

Other than being old (that's me), feeling old is much worse ... but it is as it is: You are absolutely right.

Best
Thorsten

[M2m]

13 hours ago, SylvainLS said:

Rather “LEGO Exchange Format Markup Language.”

I mean, that’s what ML stands for with XML-related formats.  The author didn’t even blink at the fact that “Mel Script” would give MS, not ML, whatever “Mel” might mean.  Shoddy writing.

Oh, boy.  I see now there’s an article on Brickset too: https://brickset.com/article/45465 , with about the same content.  I guess it’s LEGO marketting who can’t get its facts right and everybody just repeating without a tiny bit of distance.

I feel old.

Many thanks for the correction. Yes markup language makes more sense. Mel Scripts are part of Maya which is a 3D Software used by many companies (including LEGO). 

10 hours ago, motya105 said:

I’m the blind Afol that 1960maniac mentioned. If any of you are interested in creating text-based instructions for Lego sets so blind people can build them,    please get in touch via legofortheblind.com. Thanks!

Nice to meet you. It would be nice if LEGO would:

provide their software (or open source it) to ‘convert’ lxfml files to text based instructions. 

Provide updates (or open source) LDD so people can continue to create lxf(ml) files. 

[SylvainLS]

8 hours ago, M2m said:

Mel Scripts are part of Maya which is a 3D Software used by many companies (including LEGO).

Ah, so MEL (Maya Embedded Language) Scripts.  I guess a part of the phrase/process was lost somewhere, maybe even only a little “and” (as in “we use LXFML, LEGO eXchange Format, and MEL Scripts”).  What’s irksome is that everybody just repeated/republished something that makes no sense.  I know everybody can’t be a specialist in everything but I had hope they could at least read and spell 

But that’s the old fart I’m becoming speaking.  Both initiatives are commendable and very welcome.

[M2m]

I agree and I am quite sure LXFML is for markup language, but also I don’t think it’s too far fetched to mistake it for MEL. I mean the X is also for Exchange, while Exchange clearly starts with an E, and it’s still isn’t LEFML 

[SylvainLS]

Ha! And the X in XML is for eXtensible.  I guess X just sounds more “High-Tech.”  At least they didn’t use “2000” in the name 

[Toastie]

"2000" that was in and before 1999, right? "Y2k". That was fun. 19 years ago ... holy moly.

On another thought: When you say "X" is sounds like "Ex". Depending on the situation of course ... "my ex-girlfriend" would become an XG then ... the possibilities are endless!

Well, TLG wise we have: The RCX, the NXT, and EV3. As far as I am concerned the two former sound more powerful than the latter. EVX would have been cooler. Or XEV.

Yes, it is the X that makes the difference. As in X-ray. Or X-tra large. Or XXXL ...    

[1963maniac]

Let's get back to the topic of Instructions for the blind. What can you do to contribute to this project?

[gerkenz]

That's awesome. I had a look at the different possibilities LEGO provides for the blind with this project based on Matthew Shifrin work.

I'm going to build a mentioned set as a sighted person without peeking. I wonder if it's ok to publish the braille instrunctions if I translate it to German?